Dr. Flora (Fatemeh) Momen-Heravi is a clinician-scientist, periodontist, and the R. Earl Robinson Distinguished Professor of Periodontology and Division Chief of Periodontology at the Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Momen-Heravi and her laboratory joined UCSF in 2024 from Columbia University Medical Center and the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she founded and led the head and neck cancer research group, focusing on oral immunology, tumor biology, and the development of precision therapeutics and biomarkers. Before Columbia University, Dr. Momen-Heravi conducted multiple years of basic and translational research at Harvard Medical School, UMASS Medical School, and Brigham and Woman Hospital. Her contributions to research and her scholarly activity have been nationally and internationally recognized. Dr. Momen-Heravi’s research is currently funded by multiple NIH and foundation grants, including R35, R01, and U01 awards from the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Momen-Heravi has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Maximizing Investigators Research Award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences/NIH, the AACR-The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research 'Science of the Patient' Award, the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Young Investigator Award, the Anne D. Haffajee Award from the American Association for Dental Research, the Dr. Walter Cohen Teaching Award from the American Academy of Periodontology, the AACR-Bayer Innovation and Discovery Award, the Balint Orban Memorial Award from the American Academy of Periodontology, and the American Association of Immunologists Award, the Translational Therapeutics (TRx) and Accelerating Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) Award.
Dr. Momen-Heravi’s research program concentrates on cancer biology, immunology, and autoinflammatory conditions including periodontal disease, with a special interest in the complex interactions between the immune system, the tumor microenvironment, the local mucosal microenvironment, and autoimmunity. The goal is to identify actionable molecular targets and biomarkers for solid tumors and autoinflammatory conditions. Dr. Momen-Heravi’s research employs a multidisciplinary approach that integrates population-based studies, translational research, and computational and experimental strategies to study cancer and periodontal disease, aiming to identify biomarkers and actionable molecular targets.
Current projects in Dr. Momen-Heravi’s lab include:
1. Research on Exosomes in Cellular Stress Responses and Cancer Progression: This research explores the role of exosomes—tiny vesicles released by cells—in cellular stress responses and cancer progression. The lab investigates how exosomes influence the tumor microenvironment and modulate the immune system, with the goal of uncovering new pathways for cancer therapy and diagnostics. By understanding the mechanisms through which exosomes contribute to immune evasion and metastasis, the team aims to develop strategies to inhibit these processes, offering hope for improved outcomes in cancer patients.
2. Genomic Technologies for Personalized Prevention and Treatment in Cancer and Preneoplastic Conditions: Leveraging advanced genomic technologies, such as RNA-seq for gene expression profiling, single-cell RNA-seq for cellular heterogeneity analysis, and spatial transcriptomics for understanding tumor architecture, alongside artificial intelligence to enhance data interpretation. These approaches aim to identify novel biomarkers of cancer progression and potential therapeutic targets, ultimately guiding personalized prevention and treatment strategies.
3. Immunology of Periodontal Disease: Roles of Monocytes, Macrophages, and T Cells in Periodontal and Systemic Diseases: This research investigates the signaling pathways of monocytes, macrophages, and T cells—key players in the immune response—and their involvement in periodontal disease and systemic conditions like diabetes. The study focuses on how these immune cells contribute to chronic inflammation and disease progression, with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets to better manage or prevent these conditions.
4. Biological and Environmental Basis of Cancer Health Disparities: Addressing health disparities in cancer, the lab focuses on understanding why certain populations including Black individuals experience worse outcomes and fewer effective modalities for treatment. The project aims to investigate the socio-economic, genetic, biological, and environmental factors contributing to these disparities. By identifying these factors, the lab seeks to uncover the biological mechanisms driving cancer disparities and develop targeted interventions to improve biomarker discoveries and treatment outcomes, specifically for underserved communities, thereby advancing health equity in cancer care.
5. Cancer Immunology and Immune Cell Interactions in Cancer Progression: This research area aims to decipher the complex dynamics between immune cells and cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment. By investigating how immune responses are activated, regulated, and influenced by cancer cells, the lab seeks to uncover new therapeutic targets. Understanding these interactions at a molecular level is key to developing strategies that could enhance the immune system's natural ability to fight cancer, potentially leading to more effective treatments.
6. Targeted Drug Delivery and Genome Engineering with Engineered Exosomes and CRISPR/Cas and RNA Interference (RNAi): Our team is pioneering advanced drug delivery systems using engineered exosomes. These specially designed exosomes are used to deliver therapeutic agents, such as those for CRISPR/Cas genome engineering and RNA interference (RNAi), directly to diseased cells. This innovative approach aims to enhance the precision and effectiveness of treatments for a wide range of diseases, significantly reducing side effects and improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Momen-Heravi's lab is looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our laboratory. Opportunities are available for postdocs, PhD candidates, master's students, undergraduate students, residents, and dental students interested in exploring oral and mucosal immunology, cancer immunology, inflammatory signaling regulation, and data science and computational biology. If you're eager to engage in groundbreaking research in these fields, please reach out to Dr. Momen-Heravi.
